MSU Trustees approve next step at FRIB

Michigan State University trustees have approved the next step in the development of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, or FRIB. WKAR's Scott Pohl reports.

The university's administration had sought to proceed with the next phase of the project, and trustees established a $55-million dollar budget for building exterior structures at the facility. MSU President Lou Anna Simon says work has begun on pilings at the site. "We'll pace the rest of the project based on available dollars and how the federal budget evolves," Simon explains, "but we know that we're now in a position where the Department of Energy supports moving forward, and we were able to take advantage of the low bids." FRIB is expected to be a world-class nuclear research facility. The board's action will allow MSU to spend federal funds on the project when they become available. There also is a state appropriation and MSU financing for FRIB.